Foldable or extensible car step



J. o. SLYE. FOLDABLE OR EXTENSIBLE CAR STEP.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-17,192]. 1,407,592, Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 S-emu x. N Q R S M Um mww APPLICATION FILED AUG. 171 192!- Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

H I II 1 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

QWN

marten stares earnest or Fife- JOHN e. sure, or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA, .ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO THOMAS LINCOLN LIPSETT, or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT on COLUMBIA.

FOLDABLE on EXTENSIBLE can steer.

increase.

. Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 211., 1922.

Application filed August 17, 1921. Serial no. 492,951.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that JOHN QUEEN SLYE, a citizen of the United States of America, re siding at Washington, and District of Columbia, has invented a new and useful Foldable or Extensible Car Step, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has for its purpose the provision of an improved foldable or extensible car step for railway and other cars, thereby obviating the use of the usual step box or stool. v

It is realized that extensible or fold'able car steps have been heretofore devised, but the majority of them, are either inferiorin construction and will not stand the constant usage, or are too complicated for practical use. Many of'them are not. properly reinforced and also too diflicult to operate; Others are in the way, when the usual or ordinary steps of the car areused, and some when in operative position, extend too far down to pass all platforms at stations, and others are not extensible far enough.

In view of these facts the present invention aims to provide an improved construction of foldable or. extensible car step, wherein means are afforded for reinforcing the extensible step, when in operative position, in order to Withstand the varying weights applied thereon, due to its constant use by the passengers.

Another purpose involves a reinforcing operative connection between the extensible or foldable step and an operating shaft, with its construction being such as to prevent said operative reinforcing connection from collapsing unnecessarily, when the step is extended. In other words it is the. aim to provide an operative toggle link reinforcing connection between the operative shaft and the shaft and the step, with its pivotally connected parts arranged and disposed, whereby the toggle links cannot unnecessarily open and cause the step to collapse, when the weight of the passenger is applied thereon.

Still another purpose consists in the provision of reinforcing means secured to the extensible step proper,to reinforce the parts thereof, and also to afford connections with the collapsible toggle links. to insure rigidity and strength.

A further purpose embodiesthe provision of means for mounting certain of said toggle links on the operating shaft, so that the llnks may move with the shaft, when movement 1S imparted thereto, so as to properly extend the step.

A still further purpose is the provision of means connecting the operating shaft and the hinge of the door of the vestibule of the car, whereby when the door is opened, the extensible step is extended.

Additionally it is the aim to provide a direct connection between the operating shaft and the hinge of the vestibule door, either inthe form of a rigid shaft connected to the hinge by a universal'joint, or in the form of a flexible shaft, thereby enabling the extensible step to o crate quickly and in unison with the movementof the door.

some of the steps heretofore devised have been operated by the vestibule door, but the connections are either more or less complicated, or weak and inferior in construction. or not at all positive, hence the present invention aims to avoid these defects, and provide a positive operative connection between the vestibule door and the operating shaft for the step.

While the design and construction at present illustrated and set forth is deemed pref erable, it is obvious that as a result of a reduction of the invention to a more practical form for commercial purposes, the invention may be susceptible of changes. and the right to these changes is claimed, provided they are comprehended within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of one end of a Pullman coach or car, showing the improved extensible step applied thereto, and showing the connection between the step and the hinge of the door; p

l igure 2 is a view in side elevation of one end of a Pullman coach or car, showing the extensible step applied. and more clearly illustrating the operative connect-ion between the hinge of the vestibule door and the operating shaft;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the observation end of a Pullman car or coach, also showing the extensible step as applied, and illustrating the means, whereby the gate of the observation platform may extend or re tract the step Figure 4 is a view in elevationof the side of the usual steps, with portions'of the side broken away, and showing the extensible step applied, with the operative connections between the hinge of the vestibule door and the step as arranged on the side;

Figure 5 is a sectional View through a portion of one of the fixed steps, showing the extensible step applied and collapsed in full lines, and extended in dotted lines;

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of the rear of the steps, showing the construction of the operative reinforcing connections between the operating shaft and the extensible step;

Figure 7is a detail sectional view showing the shaft 11 engaging the bearing 33, and showing how the links 35 are fastened thereto;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view through the pivotal connect-ion bet-ween one of the links 37 and the rib of one of the straps 22; and

Figure 9 is a detail view of a flexible shaft 51 Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a conventional form of Pullman coach or car, which is provided with the usual vestibule door 2, hingedly mounted on the jamb as at 3. The hinge 3 of the door extendssubstantially the full length of the j amb, and cer tain leaves 4 thereof are movable with the door. These leaves 4 are also secured at 5 so as to move with the shaft, pin or rod 6 which passes through the sleeves of the leaves of the hinge. The lower end. of the shaft, pin or rod 6 is connected by a suitable universal joint 7 to a shaft link 8, for operating the extensible step.

Extending from the vestibule of the car are the usual stationary steps 9, the side supports 10 of which have suitable bearings for an operating shaft 11, which is located immediately to the rear of the lower fixed tread 12 of the stationary steps 9. This shaft 11 has a central rectangular portion 13 and cylindrical extensions 14. The extensible step 15 comprises the tread 16 and the rise 17. It will be noted that where the rise 17 of the extensible step connects with the tread 12 of the stationary steps, the adj accnt edges of said parts are mitered or beveled as shown at 18.

In order to not only reinforce the tread 12 relatively to the lower rise of the stationary steps, but also reinforce the tread and rise 16 and 17 as well as hinging them together, metallic straps 19, 20, 21 and 22 are secured as shown to the lower rise of the stationary steps 9, the tread 12 and the rise and tread 17 and 16 of the extensible step. It will be noted thatthe straps 19 form integral parts with the straps 20, which are inturn hingedly connected at 23 to the straps 21. The lower ends'of the straps 21 extend under and in engagement with the bevel 24 of the lower portion of the rise 17. The straps 22 have extensions 26, which engage the bevel 25 of the tread 16, and said extensions 26 are hingedly connected as at 27 to those. (which engage the bevel 24) of the straps 21, thereby'hingedly connecting the tread 16 and rise 17. Y

The straps 22 have webs 28, which are extended as shown and have bearings for the 'connecting rod 29,, the reduced ends 30 of which pass through the bearings of the extensions of the webs 28, and have nuts 31 threaded thereon, there being cotter pins 32 to prevent detachment of the nuts.

Where the straps 19 and 20 integrally unite, suitable bearings 33 are provided for the reception of the reduced ends 14 of the shaft 11. The shoulders 34, caused to be formed by the reduced cylindrical portions 14 of the shaft 11 cooperate with the bean ings 33 to prevent axialmovement of the shaft or pin 11.

Toggle links 35 are mounted on the ends of the rectangular portion 13 of the shaft or pin 11, and owing to this portion 13 being rectangular, the links 35 move with the shaft or pin. Suitable pins 36 engage through the links 35 and the shaft 11, to prevent movement of the links longitudinally. f

Toggle links 37 are pivotally mounted upon the reduced ends 30 of the shaft or rod 29 between the shoulders 38 (caused to be formed by the reduced extensions 30) and the extensions of the webs 28.

The links 35 and 37 are pivotally united by the rod 39, the reduced ends 40 of which have their extremities swaged to provide heads 41, thereby connecting the links 35 and 37 in order to provide a toggle joint.

The links 35 are provided with shoulders 42 adjacent their connections with the rod 39, to engage with the shoulders 43 which project laterally of the links 37, thereby limiting the links 35 and 37 in their extended positions. It will be noted that the pivot rod 39 is arranged in a position relatively to the shaft or pin 11 and the rector pin 29, so that said shaft'or' pin 39 will become positioned to one side of the aligned centers of the shafts or pins 11 and 29, and owing to the provision of the shoulders 42 and 43 the links 35 and 37 are prevented from further movement when the links and the step are extended.

Movable with one of the cylindrical extensions 14 of the shaft or pin 11 is a bevel gear 44, which meshes with a bevel pinion 45 mounted upon the lower end of the shaft 8, which is mounted in suitable bearings 46 of one of the sides of the stationary steps.

Obviously when the door 2 is swung open, causing the hinged leaves 4to move with the door and theshaft or hinge pin 6, movement is imparted to the shaft 8, which in turn transmits movement to the shaftor pin 11, through the medium of the bevel gears and 15, thereby moving the links of the toggle joint, and cause the tread and the rise 16 and 17 to assume their extended positions. The tread 16 when ext-ended becomes positioned above the platform 47 equal to the height of a rise, so that a passenger may easily ascend or descend from the platform and the steps. 7 .In Figure 3 the gate l8, which is equiva lent to the vestibule door is mounted to move with the hinged shaft 49, on which the gate is mounted, and through the medium of the pin or shaft 49 (which is connected by the universal joint 50 with the shaft 5) the extensible step may be lowered, when the gate is opened.

It is obvious that a flexible shaft 51 as shown in Figure 9 may be substituted for the shaft 8, thereby eliminating the universal joint, and yet at the same time provide a positive connection.

By the provision of the toggle joint connecting the shaft 11 and the shaft or pin 29, and by means of the several straps 19, 20, 21 and 2'2, positive reinforcing operativeconnections are afforded between the stationary steps and the extensible step, such as will stand the varying weights, due to the passengers passing up and down the steps.

The shaft 8, whether it be in the form shown in Figure 1, or in the form of a flexible shaft as shown in Figure 3, it is obvious that it may be operated by any other suitable means, other than the opening and closing of the vestibule door, or the gate of the observation end of a Pullman car. For instance the shaft may be operated by a hand wheel or handle or any other suitable means, where there is no vestibule door or gate. In either case, however, the operating means may be manually actuated though not necessarily.

There have been various attempts to provide an extensible step for railway cars, but the most of them are cumbersome, including shaft, between which and the step the links many parts which need to be special made,

furthermore they are not applied in a practical way, and also the majority of them include many operating parts, to cause the ste to extend.

he present invention includes folding means, so operable when extendechto constitute a self-lock against refolding, in combination with a positive lock drive connec tion with certain of the operable means to prevent the step from refolding.

The constructions involved in the various attempts to provide an extensible step for railway coaches have been carefully studied, and" as a result thereof the present 0011- struction of extensible step has been de- 35 and 37 constitute a positive reinforcement. 1* urthermore 1t will be noted that the operating drive means 8 is connected or geared with the shaft 11, and as long as this connection is maintained with the vestibule door open, there is not a possible chance for the links 35 and 37 to refold. It will be noted that the means to prevent refolding not connected with the links near their pivot points, and then again thelinks are simply disposed between the rear of the stationary tread'of the main steps and therear of the extensible tread, to insure reinforcement.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as being useful is:

1. The combination with the vestibule car steps provided with an extensible and collapsible step, of an operating revoluble member located in bearings substantially to the rear of the lower tread of the vestibule car steps, means operatively connecting said revoluble member and the extensible and collapsible step, the construction and arrangement of said means being such as to rockably reinforce the tread of the extensible step relatively to the revoluble operating member, when the extensible step is extended 2. The combination with the vestibule car steps provided with an extensible and collapsible step, of an operating revoluble member located in bearings substantially to the rear of the lower tread of the vestibule car steps, means. operatively connecting said revoluble member and the extensible and collapsible step, the construction and arrangement of said means being such as to rockably reinforce the tread of the extensible step relatively to the revoluble operating member, when the extensible step is extended, and means manually actuated for rotating said rockable member to collapse the extensible step.

'3. The combination with the vestibule car steps, of an extensible and collapsible step operatively mounted on the lower tread of said car steps, a revoluble operating member mounted in bearings of the sides of the car steps immediately adjacent the rear of the lower tread of the car steps, a toggle joint operatively connecting said revoluble operating member and the tread of the extensible step, whereby upon rotating said member the extensible step may be extended, the conand the operating member as to assume a position to one side of the centers of the connections ot the links and the member and the extensible tread, thereby reinforcing the tread in its extended position.

el. The combination with the vestibule car steps, of an extensible and collapsible step operatively mounted on the lower tread of said car steps, a revoluble operating member mounted in bearings of" the sides of the car steps immediately adjacent the T621150): the

lower tread ot the car steps, a toggle joint operatively connecting said. revoluble operating member and the tread of the extensible step, whereby upon rotating said member the extensible step may be extended, the construction and arrangement of the form of pivot connecting the links of said toggle joint being such with relation to the conneotions of the links and the extensible tread and the operating member as to assume a position to one side of the centers of the con nections of the links and the member and the extensible tread, thereby reinforcing the tread in its extended position, and abutment means carried by the links of the toggle joint to limit said pivot in such position.

5. The combination with the vestibule car steps, of an extensible and collapsible step operatively mounted on the lower tread of said car steps, a revoluble operating member mounted in bearings of the sides of the car steps immediately adjacent the rear of the lower tread of the car steps, a toggle joint operatively connecting said revoluble operating member and the tread of the extensible step, whereby upon rotating said member the extensible step may be extendedthe construction and arrangement of the form of pivot connecting the links of said toggle joint being such with relation to the connections of the links and the extensible tread and the operating member as to assume a position to one side of the centers of the connections of the links and the member and the extensible tread, thereby reinforcing the tread in its extended position, and abutment means carried by the links of: the toggle joint to limit said pivot in such position, and means manually actuated and operatively connected to the member for rotating the same.

6. The combination with the vestibule car steps, of an extensible step comprising a hingedly united rise and tread, the rise thereof being hingedly united to the lower tread of the car steps, a revoluble operating member journaled immediately to the rear of the lower tread of the car steps, and toggle joints having certain of their links fixed to the rcvoluble operating member, and others pivotally united to the extensible tread, the construction and arrangement or the pivots connecting the links of the toggle joints relatively to the revoluble member and the pivots to certain of the links and the extensible tread being such as to collapse on one side of the aligned centers of the revoluble membe and the pivots and the extensible tread, whereby the toggle joints may reinforce the extensible tread in an extended position, the pivoted ends of the links of the toggle joints having means to limit said'links in their extended positions.

7. The combination with the vestibule car steps, of an extensible step comprising a hingedly united rise and tread, the rise thereof being hingedly united tothe lower tread of the'car steps, a revoluble operating member journaled immediately-to the rear of the lower tread of the car steps, and togglejoints having certain of the links fixed to the revoluble operating member, and others pivotally united to the extensible tread, the construction and arrangement of the pivots connecting the linksof the toggle joints relatively to the revoluble member and the pivots to certain of the links and the extensible tread being such as to collapse on one side of the aligned centers of the revoluble member and the pivots and theextensible tread,

whereby the toggle joints may reinforce the extensible tread in an extended position, the

pivoted ends of the links of the toggle joints having means to limit said links in their ex tended positions, and means operatively connecting with the member for rotating the same for extending and collapsing the'extensible step. 7

8. The combination with the vestibule car steps, of an extensible step comprising a hingedly united rise and tread, the rise thereof l. eing hingedly united to the lower tread oi? the car steps, a revoluble operating member ournaled immediately to the rear of the lower tread oi the car steps, and toggle joints having certain of theirlinks fixed to the revoluble operating member, and others pivotally united to the extensible tread, the construction and arrangement of the pivots connecting the links of the toggle joints relatively to the revoluble member and the pivots to certain of the links and the extensible tread being such as to collapse on one side of the aligned-centers ot the revoluble member and the pivots and the extensible tread, whereby the toggle joints may reinforce the extensible tread in an extended position, the pivoted ends of the links ofthe toggle joints having means to limit said links in their extended positions, the construction and arrangementof the hinge connection connecting the extensible rise and tread relative to he pivots of certain links to the extensible tread being such that when the links are collapsed the extensible tread is held in a raised collapsed position.

9. The combination with the vestibule car steps, of an extensible step comprising a hingedly united rise and tread, the rise thereof being hingedly united to the lower tread of the car steps, a revoluble operating member journaled immediately to the rear of the lower tread of the car steps, and toggle joints havinpcertain of their links fixed to the revoluble operating member, and others pivotally united to the extensible tread, the construction and arrangement of the pivots connecting the links of the toggle joints relatively to the revoluble member and the pivots to certain of the links and the extensible tread being such as to collapse on one side of the aligned centers of the revoluble member and the pivots and the ex ensible' tread, whereby the toggle joints may reinforce the extensible tread in an extended position, the pivoted ends of the links of the toggle joints having means to limit said links in their extended positions, and means operatively connecting with the member for rotating the same for extending and collapsing the exten sible step, the construction and arrangement of the hinge connection connecting the extensible rise and tread relative to the pivots of certain links to the extensible tread being such that when the links are collapsed the extensible tread is held in a raised collapsed position. 7

10. The combination with the vestibule car steps, of anextensible step comprising a hingedly united rise and tread, the rise thereof being hingedly united to the lower tread of the car steps, a revoluble operating member journaled immediately to the rear of the lower tread of the car steps, and toggle joints having certain of their links fixed to the revoluble operating member, and others pivotally united to the extensible tread, the construction and arrangement of the pivots connecting the links of the toggle joints relatively to the revoluble member and the pivots to certain of the links and the extensible tread being such as to collapse on one side of the aligned centers of the revoluble member and the pivots and the extensible tread, whereby the toggle joints may reinforce the extensible tread in an extended position, the pivoted ends of the links of the toggle joints having means to limit said links in their extended positions, the construction and arrangement of the hinge connection connecting the extensible rise and tread relative to the pivots of certain links to the extensible tread being such that when the links are collapsed the extensible tread is held in a raised collapsed position, the extensible rise and tread having abutting means, cooperating with the reinforcing togcar steps, of an extensible step gle joints, to insure reinforcing the rise and tread of the extensible step, when in extended position.

11. The combination with the vestibule car steps, of an extensible step comprising a hingedly united rise and tread, the rise thereof being hingedly united to the lower tread of the car steps, a revoluble operating member journaled immediately to the rear of the lower tread of the car steps, and toggle joints having certain of their links fixed to the revoluble operating member, and others pivotally united to the extensible tread, the construction and arrangement oi the pivots connecting the links of the toggle joints relatively to the revoluble member and the pivots to certain of the links and the extensible tread being such as to collapse on one side of the aligned centers of the revoluble member and the pivots and the extensible tread, whereby the toggle joints may reinforce the extensible tread in an extended position, the pivoted ends of the links of the toggle joints having means to limit said links in their extended positions, the construction and arrangement of the hinge connection connecting the extensible rise and tread relative to the pivots of certain links to the extensible tread being such that when the links are collapsed the ex tensible tread is held in a raised collapsed position, the extensible rise and tread having abutting means, cooperating with the reinforcing toggle joints, to insure reinforcing the rise and tread of the extensible step, when in extended position, the vestibule having a door, and means operatively connecting the vestibule door and the revoluble operating member, for rotating the same.

12. The combination with the vestibule comprising a rise and a tread provided with abutting means to support the tread in position when the rise is extended, a revoluble operating member mounted inthe sides of the car steps to the rear of the lower tread of the car steps, means operatively connecting said member and the tread for extending the extensible step, the construction and arrangement of said means being such as to reinforce the tread relatively to the member, a vestibule door, and means operatively con necting the door and the revoluble member.

18. In a device for the purpose indicated, vestibule car steps provided with an extensible and collapsible step, foldable means to extend the extensible step, and when extended to constitute a self-reinforcement, an operating member for said foldable means, and means having positive drive and lock connections with said member.

14. In a device for the purpose indicated, vestibule car st'eps provided with an extensible and collapsible step, a pair of foldable means connected to and for extending the step, and when extended to constitute a selfreinforcement for the step, means connecting said pair of fold-able means to cause them to Workin unison, an operating member, to which corresponding parts of both pairs of means are connected, and actuating means provided with a drive locking connection with one end of said member to prevent refoldin of said pair of means.

15. iihe combination with the vestibule car steps provided with an extensible and collapsible step, of foldable operable means therefor, disposed, when extended, to constitute a self-lock against refolding, and means having a positive lock connection with said foldable means to insure against refolding.

16. The combination with the vestibule car steps provided with an extensible and collapsible step, of foldable members arranged in pivoted pairs, disposed when extended to constitute a self-lock against refolding, means connecting said pairs of members to cause them to fold and open in unison, and means provided with positive lock drive lapsible step, of foldable operable reinforced means therefor at the rear of the extensible step, disposed, when extended, to constitute a positive reinforced self-lock against re folding In Witness whereof, in the presence of two witnesses, the mventors signature is hereunto aflixe-d.

JOHN Q. SLYE. Witnesses:

THEO. M. Juno, Ronnar A. Boswnnn. 

